Snow Princess

Chapter 15: Sparks Fly

For the rest of class, I just watched as other students gave it a try, and then it was time to go back inside. I was dreading the moment that I would see Mrs. Salazar. I didn't really know what would happen in discipline class. What did she even teach there?

As I was walking inside, Gabe stopped me. I turned to look at him. I didn't think I saw him out there with us, like I didn't see him when I was looking around after Fallon hit me. Where had he gone? "Hey," I said.

"Hey, you did great out there." Gabe said with a flirtatious smile.

"Thanks but I didn't see you..."

"Oh, I was just in the corner, watching. I don't really like hanging out with some people around here."

"Why not?"

"Not sure really," he sighed.

"Ok? Well, you should. I mean, I'm not so social myself, but you see me talk to others."

"But you're good with people."

"No I'm not..."

"Yeah you are, don't deny it," he said with a goofy grin.

"Okay, so what if I am?"

He just shrugged. "Hey, you should go into the kitchen and get some ice for your cheek. It's pretty bruised."

I touched my cheek. I totally forgot about it while I was watching the others. Roman didn't remind me about it either when I was standing next to him. Which reminded me, where was Roman? "Yeah, I think I'll do that. By the way, have you seen your brother?"

After I asked the question, I immediately regretted it. Gabe's face faltered into a dark, sad one. "No, I think he is already inside though."

"Okay, thanks," I said before I left to go to the kitchen. There was no one in the kitchen at the time I stepped in. I was rummaging through the kitchen trying to find something to wrap the ice in when I found a thin towel. I grabbed it and then went over to the silver metal fridge and pressed for ice. A loud rumble filled the air before ice left the machine and tumbled onto my towel.

Once I had enough, I went upstairs to the bathroom to get a look in the mirror. I didn't lock the door because I didn't think it would take long. I looked into the mirror and saw that my cheek was indeed bruised. It was already turning purple at the edges of it, and the rest was red. It was the size of my fist even if my fist were small, it sized up to a small tomato.

I was feeling my cheek and exploring it when I heard the door shut and click to lock behind me. I turn to see Roman standing there. "Hey, what are you doing?" I said.

"I came to check up on you, are you okay?"

"How did you know I would be in here?"

"Because I knew you would need to treat that hit eventually," he said in a playful tone.

"Hmm, okay..." I said as he walked toward me. When he was in front of me, he looked into my eyes before brushing his fingers across my bruise. The touch of his fingers made butterflies erupt in my stomach. "Does it hurt?" he asked. I shook my head. He laughed at that then said, "Oh come on, it had to hurt. I'm sorry I didn't ask earlier. I didn't want you to be bothered by it or think that I was bothered by it."

"I'm clearly not bothered by it," I say, chuckling a little.

"It's like a fresh battle scar."

"That's because it is." I gently push his shoulder.

He smiled, which made me smile. We were so close to each other even after I lightly pushed him. "Well, battle scars are sexy on a girl."

I raised an eyebrow up. "Are you calling me sexy?"